Eight-Step Editing provides participants with a practical and versatile “toolkit” to help improve the texts they write and/or edit. The techniques can be applied to a wide range of informational documents, including reports, memos, summaries, proposals, observations, analyses, instructions, web content, and more. Using a step-by-step process, the program identifies the most common factors in writing that become obstacles for readers. It not only helps you recognize the problems, it shows you quick and simple techniques for fixing them.
Eight-Step Editing combines theory with practice. Participants gain an understanding of the principles underlying each of the eight steps, and then apply those principles in exercises. Some of the exercises will be generic, on the assumption that if participants can apply their learning to other people’s writing, they can also apply it to their own.
Elizabeth d'Anjou (presenter) has over 20 years of experience as a freelance editor with a diverse clientèle, including textbook publishers, government ministries and nonprofit agencies. Her particular strengths include careful copy editing, translating jargon into accessible prose, and adjusting language level, including plain-language editing and consulting. A third-generation editor, she teaches copy editing for Toronto Metropolitan University’s Publishing Programme and developed its new online grammar course. She is in demand as a presenter of communications workshops for corporate, government and nonprofit clients as well as for the Editors’ Association of Canada.
Information on the next offering of this session is anticipated in Fall/Winter 2024–25.